INTRO TO BUDDHISM

BUDDHISM Terms to Know: Great Stupa of Sanchi Pagoda Torii Stupa Intro to Buddhism BUDDHISM Terms to Know: Great Stupa of Sanchi Pagoda Torii Stupa

Intro to Buddhism BUDDHISM Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices considered by most to be a religion and is based on the teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as "The Buddha" (the Awakened One), who was born in what is today Nepal. He lived and taught in the northeastern region of India and most likely died around 400 BCE.

Intro to Buddhism Buddhas are often depicted in the same way, despite being created over thousands of years and thousands of miles away: Seated, usually posed in a lotus position with balls of the feet straight up Elongated ears, generally frontal, symmetrical and have a nimbus, or halo. Helpers known as bodhisattvas are usually near the Buddha, sometimes attached to the nimbus.

The head has a top knot, or ushnisha, with tight-fitting curls. Intro to Buddhism Buddha has many moods, but is often depicted in a calm, meditative look. His actions and feelings are usually conveyed through hand gestures called mudras. The head has a top knot, or ushnisha, with tight-fitting curls. A predella can feature images of donors or teachings from his life

Intro to Buddhism THE STUPA The stupa is the most characteristic monument of Buddhist India. Originally stupas were mounds covering the relics of the Buddha or his followers. In its earliest stages Buddhist art didn't represent the Buddha directly. Instead, his presence was alluded to through symbols such as the bo tree, the wheel of law or his footprint. The stupa also became a symbol of the Buddha. In a larger sense the stupa is also a cosmic symbol. Its hemispherical shape represents the world egg. Stupas commonly rest on a square pedestal and are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the compass. Stupas are large-scale memorials built in particularly holy places. Generally they enshrine relics of some sort.

Intro to Buddhism THE STUPA As a building type the stupa is the forerunner of the pagoda. However, the stupa has also come to be known, on a smaller scale, as the reliquary itself and can be made of crystal, gold, silver or other precious metals. Stupa in Bangkok, Thailand.

Intro to Buddhism

Intro to Buddhism

The Great Stupa, 300 BCE – 100 CE, Sanchi, India. BUDDHISM Great Stupa of Sanchi The Great Stupa, 300 BCE – 100 CE, Sanchi, India. BUDDHISM

Great Stupa of Sanchi The Great Stupa, 300 BCE – 100 CE, Sanchi, India. BUDDHISM The 'Great Stupa' at Sanchi is the oldest stone structure in India and was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolising high rank, which was intended to honour and shelter the relics. The construction work of this stupa was overseen by Ashoka's wife, Devi herself, who was the daughter of a merchant of Vidisha. Sanchi was also her birthplace as well as the venue of her and Ashoka's wedding. In the 1st century BCE, four elaborately carved toranas (ornamental gateways) and a balustrade encircling the entire structure were added.

Great Stupa of Sanchi Carved decoration of the Northern gateway to the Great Stupa of Sanchi Each gateway matches the four cardinal points on the compass.

Great Stupa of Sanchi (Plan and elevation)

Intro to Buddhism A torii is a traditional Japanese gate commonly found at the entry to a Shinto shrine, although it can be found at Buddhist temples as well. It has two upright supports and two crossbars on the top, and is frequently painted vermilion. Some torii have tablets with writing mounted between the crossbars. Traditionally, torii are made of wood or stone, but makers have started to use steel and even stainless steel. Torii mark the transition from the sacred world to the normal, profane world.

The PAGODA Intro to Buddhism is the general term in the English language for a tiered tower with multiple eaves common in China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most commonly Buddhist, and were often located in or near temples. This term may refer to other religious structures in some countries. The pagoda's original purpose was to house relics and sacred writings. A PAGODA in Japan.

Intro to Buddhism In May of 2007, hundreds of Buddhist monks gathered in Changzhou, China, to celebrate the opening of what local officials say is the world's tallest pagoda. The towering structure stands nearly 505 feet (154 meters) tall—reaching 50 feet (15 meters) higher than Egypt's Great Pyramid of Giza. The wooden tower was recently added to the ancient Tianning Temple, a Buddhist complex dating back to China's Tang Dynasty, which lasted from A.D. 618 to 907. The temple has been destroyed and rebuilt in the same spot five times.